Art camps have filled our summer here at the NCLAC office. We held five-day camps in Ruston and Jonesboro, and for the first time this summer we offered Super Saturday camps in Farmerville, Arcadia, Chatham and Homer. Campers explored many concepts and materials this year, including installation art, collaboration, weaving, playwriting and stage combat.

A heartfelt thank you as well to our host sites for art camps: First Baptist Church in Ruston, First United Methodist in Chatham, United Methodist in Jonesboro, First Assembly of God in Farmerville, First United Methodist in Arcadia, and Claiborne Jubilee/Homer City Hall in Homer. These locations are true gems in each community, ready to offer help for the children of our region.

Now the art bins have been packed up, supplies have been put away, and we’re busy planning ARToberfest and Holiday Arts Tour. Artist and business applications are now being taken for participation with Holiday Arts Tour, which will be held the weekend before Thanksgiving, November 21-24. Tickets for ARToberfest, our homebrewed beer fundraiser, will go on sale September 1.

In addition, we have just begun our membership drive, with new benefits detailed on our site. Membership is the cornerstone of our success, and we are excited to offer special opportunities to our members, such as discounted ticket prices and entry fees. A membership form is located in "the box" on the blog, and even more membership information may be found at nclarts.org

In closing today, we would like to help spread the word for one of our partners, the Piney Hills Harmony Chorus, who has three decades of music on tap in “Rock Around the Clock,” which will be held Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.in the Jack Howard Theatre at the Monroe Civic Center. The variety show will feature The Chorus, Elvis tribute artist Todd Martin, Quartets Grace Notes and Bayou Blend, as well as comedic skits from the TV shows "I Love Lucy," "Laugh In" and more.

The event, sponsored by Care Solutions Inc. and Vantage Health Plan, is a benefit for Angel Ministries, a non-profit organization that cares for those unable to care for themselves and also teaches them to help themselves.

Tickets are on sale at the Monroe Civic Center box office, (318) 329-2338, or through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Adult tickets are $15; seniors 60 and older, $12; children 12 and under, $12; and premium Silver Seating (front center), $30. For more information call Carol Ogle at (318) 348-2291.